What's New?

New WWII U.S. Navy Jackets

We now have two new patterns based on WWII U.S. Navy flight jackets. The first is Monarch Mfg. Company's M-422, and then Bogen & Tenenbaum's AN-6552. Later we plan on adding another U.S. Navy jacket to our lineup as well.

  » Read about our new U.S. Navy jackets

New Russet Horsehide Choice

Just in the factory is a new choice of russet horsehide. We've sent our tannery an original Star Sportswear made with a dark russet pigment finish, and they were able to create a perfect copy of that horsehide, in weight, color, and dull finish. This new horsehide is veg-tanned, and is 1.1mm in thickness (2.75 ounces). Jackets made with this horsehide feel very heavy, as the horsehide is quite dense. The color tone is even, unlike our aniline hides which exhibit subtle variation in russet tone. There were many jackets in WWII that had this exact type of finish and color. We've made a Poughkeepsie A-2 with this new hide.

  » Photos of the new dull russet horsehide

New A-2 pattern: Good Wear Poughkeepsie A-2

We are in the process of creating a copy of the Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Co. A-2 pattern. This A-2 is often compared with the pattern of Aero, but there are some interesting differences. The jacket looks great when worn, and we now have our new horsehide with a dull dark russet tone to match originals. This jacket also features our new reproduction Talon zippers, which have vintage sliders on them. For the thread, we now have a dull light OD green to use on the Poughkeepsie A-2. Our label maker also did a fantastic job of copying a very complex original label.

  » Photos of our new Poughkeepsie A-2

New A-2 pattern: 1939 Werber A-2

Our latest A-2 jacket pattern is the 1939 Werber. This model was one of the final A-2s to have unique details that disappear just before WWII started. Our 1939 Werber features the larger United Carr ball stud snaps in the collar, a stitch line above the waistband in the leather, throat clips which are sewn into the collar stand, rather than using eyelets, and a woven label using gold thread...this was the only contract Werber made using a label with gold thread.

  » Photos of the '39 Werber A-2 in russet HH

  » Photos of the '39 Werber A-2 in seal HH

New M-422 pattern: Good Wear copy of Monarch Mfg. Co. M-422

The M-422 is the first U.S. Navy dark brown leather intermediate flight jacket to appear before WWII. Three companies made M-422 jackets, including Monarch, Willis and Geiger, and Switlik. We've been able to copy a Monarch M-422 in every detail, and will soon have a production jacket photographed in dark brown goatskin. We have an order of custom-tanned goatskin in the works right now. Only vintage mouton will be used. Our rayon lining material is an excellent copy from the original. We now have a new order of rib-rack waistbands and matching cuffs in 100% wool, which look great (test jacket are not these).

  » Photos of our Monarch M-422

Seal brown goatskin

We now have seal brown goatskin, which is veg-tanned and aniline dyed. It will be available for a number of A-2 jacket patterns and the U.S. Navy jackets that will be presented soon. This goatskin is 1mm thick, which translates to 2.5 ounces.

  » Photos of a Dubow 27798 made with seal goatskin

New pattern: "Californian" Ventura

We have posted images of the new Ventura, one jacket in a series based on California Sportwear jackets. They were a large leather clothing company based in Los Angeles, and operated from 1930 to the mid 1980s. We will be making a number of different patterns that will carry this brand, and our first is the Ventura.

  » Photos of the "Californian" Ventura

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New A-2 pattern: Dubow W535-AC-20960

We have gotten a fantastic new pattern from an original Dubow 20960, the first contract A-2 Dubow had made. This is a great looking jacket, made with a collar stand and unique label design. The body is quite similar in shape to the later more famous Dubow 27798, but the collar is very different, and the pocket on the same side as the wind flap tends to be very close to the wind flap. Look through the Doolittle Raiders photos (links section), and a number of airmen in the back rows are wearing this very contract, as is Jimmy Doolittle.

  » Photos of a Good Wear Dubow 20960 A-2

New A-2 pattern: Good Wear copy of I. Spiewak & Sons A-2

This new pattern is a very unique A-2 design. The Spiewak originals were made with large and square shoulders, a wide back, and with a strong point to the collar tips. Our copy of this pattern copies every nuance, from those mentioned to the body seams facing opposite of other A-2 contractors. Most likely, the label will state I. Chapman & Sons, but this is to be determined.

  » Photos of a test copy of an I. Chapman & Sons A-2

New Photos of J.A. Dubow 27798 and Werber 1402-P A-2s

With our new horsehide, we've updated photos of the Dubow 27798 and will soon have a full set of photos of our Werber 1402-P A-2 jackets. Both are made in the russet shade. The Werber has mild wear and already, a huge amount of grain has developed in the horsehide.

  » Photos of our Dubow 27798 A-2

  » Photos of our Werber 42-1402-P A-2

Updated pattern: United Sheeplined

We have gotten another original United Sheeplined A-2, and carefully measured each panel to create a far better pattern. This update reveals how clean and sharp a design United Sheeplined made for their one and only A-2 contract.

  » Photos of updated United Sheeplined A-2

Updated labels: United Sheeplined and Bronco

Our label maker is producing more fantastic work, and older labels we had done earlier in less-than-desirable quality are being replaced by new ones that are magnificent.

  » New Bronco A-2 label

  » New United Sheeplined label